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This study investigated the surgical results of a single‐stage posterolateral approach with arc incision, unilateral laminectomy, and costotransversectomy for the management of dumbbell tumors and paraspinal tumors of the thoracic spine. From January 2010 to March 2017, 14 patients with dumbbell tumors or paraspinal tumors of the thoracic spine who underwent resection with single‐stage posterolateral approach were followed up and analyzed retrospectively. The operations were performed using a single‐stage posterolateral approach with arc incision, unilateral laminectomy, and costotransversectomy without any instrumentation. We reviewed the scores of clinical symptoms and imaging results, including postoperative MRI and reconstructed 3D‐CT images. Gross total removal was achieved in 13 patients, and subtotal removal was achieved in 1 case. Histopathology revealed schwannoma in 9 patients, angiolipoma in 1 patient, and paraganglioma and mixed hemangioma in 2 patients each. No significant operative or postoperative complications occurred in any patient. The 14 patients were followed up for 14–68 months (mean 39.4 months). At the final follow‐up, no obvious spinal deformity or tumor recurrence was found in any patient except one with paraganglioma. Single‐stage posterolateral approach is a good alternative surgical method for removing dumbbell tumors and paraspinal tumors of the thoracic spine without necessitating a subsequent anterior operation.

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